Friday

DELAWARE " Waving prominently from the bed of the black Dodge pickup truck, the Confederate flagoffended many who stood along the streets a week ago to celebrate freedom and independence.

On board, a family smiled and waved, seemingly oblivious to any concerns.

Mark Butler, a local black pastor, said he saw the bold blue 'X' of stars on the red background,flanked by smaller American flags, and thought: "Here we go again. What are we going to do?"

This week, he shared his concerns with Delaware County commissioners and the Delaware CityCouncil. He and others are planning a march from City Hall to the county courthouse and back. Adate hasn't been set.

"Every time these things come up, it's a chance to educate the community," he said Thursday.That flag, removed last year from the South Carolina capital and criticized by some elsewhere, is"still very offensive, not only to black people, but to all people," he said. "It brings up '50sand '60s segregation, Jim Crow and slavery."

Confederate flags also flew in a similar parade in Templeton, California, prompting this letterto a local newspaper: "In the interest of a friendlier, more inclusive and more American parade,organizers should be sure to exclude the Confederate flag from all future events."

The Delaware County Farm Bureau, which sponsors the July 4th parade, agreed. It is planning toreview its criteria for parade entrants "to better represent the spirit of the holiday," said SteveBerk, organizational director for the bureau.

Currently, anyone can sign up. There is no entry fee, and floats are not vetted. Berk said hedidn't know who drove the flag entry.

>> Doo Dah Parade entry depicting bike crash offends cyclists

About 50 entrants drove and marched from the fairgrounds to Ohio Wesleyan University.

Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O'Brien sat in a truck directly in front of the Dodge. She saidshe hadn't noticed it until she heard someone screaming, "This is the Fourth. What are youdoing?"

She said Thursday that, while some may find the display distasteful, it's a First Amendmentissue and not for government to decide.

"I can't do anything if people stomp on the U.S. flag, and I find that extremely offensive," shesaid.

Still, she said it's possible that the Farm Bureau could bar the flag in future parades. "Ithink as a private entity they may be entitled to."

dnarciso@dispatch.com

@DeanNarciso

DELAWARE " Waving prominently from the bed of the black Dodge pickup truck, the Confederate flagoffended many who stood along the streets a week ago to celebrate freedom and independence.

On board, a family smiled and waved, seemingly oblivious to any concerns.

Mark Butler, a local black pastor, said he saw the bold blue 'X' of stars on the red background,flanked by smaller American flags, and thought: "Here we go again. What are we going to do?"

This week, he shared his concerns with Delaware County commissioners and the Delaware CityCouncil. He and others are planning a march from City Hall to the county courthouse and back. Adate hasn't been set.

"Every time these things come up, it's a chance to educate the community," he said Thursday.That flag, removed last year from the South Carolina capital and criticized by some elsewhere, is"still very offensive, not only to black people, but to all people," he said. "It brings up '50sand '60s segregation, Jim Crow and slavery."

Confederate flags also flew in a similar parade in Templeton, California, prompting this letterto a local newspaper: "In the interest of a friendlier, more inclusive and more American parade,organizers should be sure to exclude the Confederate flag from all future events."

The Delaware County Farm Bureau, which sponsors the July 4th parade, agreed. It is planning toreview its criteria for parade entrants "to better represent the spirit of the holiday," said SteveBerk, organizational director for the bureau.

Currently, anyone can sign up. There is no entry fee, and floats are not vetted. Berk said hedidn't know who drove the flag entry.

>> Doo Dah Parade entry depicting bike crash offends cyclists

About 50 entrants drove and marched from the fairgrounds to Ohio Wesleyan University.

Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O'Brien sat in a truck directly in front of the Dodge. She saidshe hadn't noticed it until she heard someone screaming, "This is the Fourth. What are youdoing?"

She said Thursday that, while some may find the display distasteful, it's a First Amendmentissue and not for government to decide.

"I can't do anything if people stomp on the U.S. flag, and I find that extremely offensive," shesaid.

Still, she said it's possible that the Farm Bureau could bar the flag in future parades. "Ithink as a private entity they may be entitled to."

dnarciso@dispatch.com

@DeanNarciso

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.